Power lug strap retainer



Aug 22, 1950 w. F. LEINEWEBER, JR 2,519,838

POWER LUG STRAP RETAINERl 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOY. 26, 1948 Uf/EHZDP LejizeweML/.' J 'M www ZEIE Aug 22, 195,0 w. F. LEINEWEBER, JR 2,519,838

POWER LUG STRAP RETAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 26, 1948 HLEE Patented Aug. 22, 1950 PGVVER LUG STR-AE? RETAINER William F. Leineweber, Jr., Greenville, S. C., as-

signor to W. D. Dodenhcfl Company, Greenville, S. C a corporation of South Carolina Application November 26, 1948, Serial No. 62,145

23 Claims.

'ljhis invention relates tov an improved power lugstI-np retainer ork strap bracket for the picker stick of a loom.

As is well known, the shuttle-throwing motion ofthe picker stiel; of a conventional loom is generally imparted to the stick by a so-called power lug device, which constitutes a lug strap in the form of a loop of; leather or canvas encircling the picker stick and a` lugstrap connected through suitable mechanism to a cam on the loom, so that periodically the lug` stick; is forcibly moved forward, at a very high acceleration, and thus the lug strap accelerates the picker stick-inwardly at a4 high rate to accomplish the throwing of the shuttle to the otherside oi'the; loom.

Since the supportinglinkage for..l most; picker stickshasan elective pivot point near the bottom end ofthe'stick, it is apparent that the vertical position at which the lug Strap engages the picker Stiokwill substantially affect the acceleration imparted to the picker stick.A In fact, it` often hap.- pens. thata misadjustment of, the vertical position of the lug strap relative t0, thev pickel SCK of astlittle as one quarter oigan inchgcan produce effects in the movement, of the shuttleA which will adversely aect. the quality of cloth being Woven.

By virtueof the very high forces acting upon the power! lug. device, it' is necessary to replace lug straps at'frequent'intervals. Similarly, picker sticks are frequently replaced. Each time that a new lugV strap or a picker stick is; assembled to the loom, itis necessary to slightly adjust the vertical position of thelug; strap with respect to thel picker stick. To eiectgsuch adjustment, it has been customaryheretofore to provide alugy strap clamp or bracket comprising a castingwhich was clamped to the pickerr stick in a desired position `by a pairot Urbolts and cooperating nuts. Such. an arrangement obviously was not susceptible of rapid adjustment, and since. l

such adjustment could only be accomplished while the loom was shut down, all time consumed in enea-:ting the-adjustment adversely affected the ratevof production of the loom. Since the lug strap requires replacement at frequent intervals, of the order of once every two, or three weeks, it is apparent that the time reguired for adjust ment of vertical position of the lug :strap clamp, or bracket relative to the richer Stickl can be a substantial factor inl obtaining optimum cutoutfromY any particular loom- Afccordinglr, it is'ari object of this-invention to provide an improved lug vstrap `Clfirrln or bracket which may be. assembled to a- Dissertation-andadjusted thereonwitha. minmumamount of: effort.

2 and time required for such operation, and which will maintain itself in any particular adjusted position on the picker stick, irrespectiveA of the very high impact forces and vibrationto which it is subjected during thenormal operation of the loom.

Another objectof this invention is to provide a power lug strap bracket which may be convenientlyA formed in its entirety as a metal stamping, and which may be rigidly scoured to the picker, lstick in any selected position therealong lwithout resul-ring thek use of time-,consuming fastening devices such as bolts, screws,v cr the like,

A particular object of this invention is to pro-..k vide an improved power lug strap bracket for the pick-er stick of a loom, characterized by the employment of a spring-pressed'wedge in coopera-,-V

tion with the bracket for'efecting the rigid securement of the bracket to the picker stick in any selected position therealong.

Another object of this invention is toprovde an improved mechanism for retaininga power lug strap clamp cr bracket tothe picker stick of aloom characterized by the employmentof a pair of wedges disposed in the. backetofback relation-` ship and urged into clamping engagement between the bracket and the picker stick by a come mon spring.

rIhe specific nature of this invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the fo1-v lowing detailed description of the annexed sheet of drawings which, by way oi preferred example only, illustrate one specificy embodiment of' the invention.

On the drawings:

Figure lis a schematic view illustrating the cooperation of the lug stick, av lug strap, and picker stick of a loom with a lugstrap bracket constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged scale, side elevational view of the lug strap bracket embodying this invention, shown in assembled' relationship' with respect to the picker stick;

Figurev 3 is a sectional view taken on the plane lll- III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective View of a modilied form of wedge element to be employed in a lug strapbracket embodying this invention;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, but i1- lustrating the cooperation of the modified wedge with the sheet metal bracket constructed in. ac: cordance with the invention;

`Figure 6 is. an end elevetoml` View of the 3. power lug strap bracket embodying one modication of this invention;

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a, cross-sectional View taken on line VIII-VIII of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line IX-IX of Figure 7 As shown on the drawings:

Referring to Figure 1, the numeral I indicates a conventional lug stick connected to a lug strap IUa in the form of a loop of canvas or leather disposed insurrounding relationship to the intermediate portions of a picker stick II. As is well known, periodically the lug stick I0 is pulled forcibly in the direction of its length by a suitable cam mechanism (not shown) and the closed end of the loop or lug strap Illa, engages the picker stick II to pull the stick violently inwardly and thus eifect the throwing of the shuttle across to the other side of the loom.

To insure the engagement of the ,power lug strap or loop Illa with the picker stick II at the proper vertical position on such picker stick, a lug strap clamp or bracket I2 is provided. According to this invention, the bracket I2 may be conveniently formed by stamping operations on sheet metal and is of generally U-shaped configuration, so constructed as to permit it to snugly straddle or envelop the picker stick II with the base portion I2a in engagement with the rear face IIa of the picker stick II and the arm portions I2b and I2c respectively projecting somewhat beyond the front face IIb of the picker stick I I.

To vertically position the lug strap lila, the

'bracket I2 is provided with integral outwardly projecting wing portions I3 and I4 which project laterally from the top and bottom edges, respectively, of the arm portions I2b and |20. The wing portions I3 and I4 are each of arcuate configuration so as to accommodate a limited tilting movement of the lug strap Ia relative to the bracket, which will occur in the normal operation of the picker stick I I.

To rigidly retain the bracket I2 in any selected adjusted position along the picker stick II, this invention provides a pair of wedge members I5 operating between the free ends of arm portions I2b and I2C of the bracket I2 and the inner face IIb of the picker stick II. The free end portions of the bracket arms I2a and I2b are each inturned and then reversely turned in such manner as to provide two pairs of guide ribs I6 and I'I (Figure 2) which are spaced from but facing the front face IIb of the picker stick Il, and which are oppositely inclined with respect tosuch front face. The wedge members I5 are of a wedge-shaped block construction, proportioned to permit their respective insertion into the triangular recess deined between the inturned free ends of the arm portions I 2a and I2b of the bracket I2 and the front face IIb of the picker stick I I.

To facilitate the lateral guiding of the wedges I5, each wedge may be provided with a pair of spaced, parallel grooves I5a in its angular surface which respectively receive the guide ribs I or I'.' as the case may be. The wedges I5 are assembled between the bracket I2 and picker stick II in back-to-back relationship and a common spring I8 is mounted therebetween so as to urge each of the wedges in a direction to effect `a clamping engagement between the bracket I2 and the picker suck II. Preferably, each wedge block I5 is provided with a recess I5b in its large rear surface to provide a seat for the spring I8.

With the described construction, the bracket I2 may be readily slipped over the top end of the picker stick II, or moved therealong to any desired position, merely by forcing the wedges I5 toward each other and thus compressing the spring I8. A particularly advantageous method of mounting the bracket on a stick already in operation is to spread the body at the open face and slip the bracket over the back of the stick near the top. Upon release of the wedges I5, the spring I8 urges each wedge into snug engagement between the picker stick II and the inclined guide surfaces I 6 and I7 provided by the inturned free ends of the bracket arms I2b and I2c. Any tendency of the bracket I2 to move upwardly relative to the picker stick II is resisted by one wedge, while the other wedge equally resists any tendency of the bracket I2 to shift downwardly relative to the picker stick I I. The repeated blows imparted to the bracket I2 by the lug stick II), as well as vibration, only have the ei'ect of further securing the tightness of engagement of the wedge element I5, since the spring I3 immediately takes up any looseness that may be produced between the bracket, the picker stick and the wedge. Hence the bracket I2 may not only be conveniently positioned at any desired vertical position along the picker stick II, but will be rigidly retained in such adjusted position.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, a modification of this invention is shown wherein the wedge elements 20 are formed as sheet metal stampings rather than as solid block-like members. Such wedge elements comprise a base portion 20a, parallel side wall portions 20D and 20c, respectively, and an end wall portion 20d. The side wall portions 25h and 20c have generally inclined top surfaces 20e which may be of slightly arcuate conguration for a purpose that will be hereinafter explained.

The wedge element 25 may then be snugly mounted between the bracket I2 and the picker stick I I by the insertion of the side wall portions 2Gb and 20c respectively into the spaces dened between the reversely turned guide ribs I6 and II and their respective side wall portions I2b and I2C, in the manner best shown in Figure 5. In this modification, the end wall surface 20d of the wedge element 20 functions as a seat for the spring I8 and again, a common spring is employed to urge both of the wedge elements 20 toward their clamping positions between the bracket I2 and picker stick I I.

In both modifications of this invention, the surface of the wedge element adjacent the picker stick may be knurled or serrated as indicated at 29g in Figure 4 to increase the securement of engagement with the front face I Ib of the picker stick I I.

Also, in both modifications of this invention it may be desirable to form one of the cooperating wedging surfaces of the bracket I2 and the wedge elements I5 or 20, as the case may be, with a slightly arcuate configuration so as to permit the wedge to more readily accommodate itself to variations in dimensions or configuration of the picker stick II. As is well known, picker sticks vary substantially in dimensions and very often the rear face IIa of the picker stick may not be exactly parallel with the front face I Ib. By providing the inclined surface of the wedge element With an arcuate configuration as indicated at 20e in Figure 4,v or, alternatively, by forming the wedging surfaces Hi and Hon the bracket Irlof slightly convex configuration, such variations. in dimensions or conguration of the picker stick Il may be conveniently accommodated without adversely affecting the securement ofattachment of the bracket i2 thereto.

A further modification is shown in Figures 6;, 7, 8 and Qwherein an adjustablewedge element assembly is shown comprising a wedge element2-5 and a locking wedge 25.

The wedge element 25 is- `provided with-abase portion 25a, the surface of which may beconditioned for frictional engagementw-ith the picker stick, parallel side wall portions 256 andZSc'respectively, and an end wall portion 25d. It will be noted that the end wall portion 25diis vprovided with a shallow depression suitable for r-eceiving an object in rotatable bearing engagement therewith.

The locking wedge 2t is provided withfabase portion 26a, which also may be conditiinned upon its engaging surface, parallel side wallportions 2Gb and 26C, respectively, and an end wall-'portion 25d. The end wall portion 26d isprovided with an inwardly extending boss and maybe suitably drilled and tapped as at 21' to4 receivev a lister head adjusting screw 28, or the like, in threaded engagement therewith.

rlhus, it should be evident that the wedge elements 25 and 2t may be snugly mounted between the bracket i2 and the picker stick Hby insertion of the side `wall portions 25h, 25e and 2551 26e, respectively, into the spaces deiined between the reversely turned guide ribs i6 and il' and their respective side wall portions i213 and I2C, in the manner best shown in Figure 5.

In this modification the depressedvend portion 25d of the wedge element 25 unctionsas a seat for the adjusting screw 25- and the wedge element 25 is urged apart from the locking wedgev 26and toward a locking position by selective adjustment of the adjusting screw 23. A ber lock washer 29 may be provided, as shown in Figure 7, for the purpose of locking the setting made with the adjusting screw 28 against vibration.

Obviously, with a power lug strap bracket con.- struction as described, the time required for re.- moving such bracket from the picker, stick` it, or adjusting the vertical position ci the bracket on the picker stick H, may be maintained at a minimum, and hence the shutdown time offthe loom required to effect such adjustment may be substantially reduced. Furthermore, all of the components of the described construction maybe economically manufactured by low cost, high production methods.

It will, of course, be understood that Various details of construction. may be modified through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated byv thescope ofv the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

i. A power lug strap retainer for apicker stick comprising, in combination, a bracket dening a channel constructed to envelop a picker stick, means on the outer faces or said' bracket for vertically retaining a lug strap in engagement F therewith, said bracket having an inclinedniwardly facing surface portion spaced-from one face of a picker stick positioned therein, a wedge having its angidarly disposed; surfaces respect tively engageable with. said inclined. surfaceipure ifo 8 tion ofV the bracket. andfsaidlonef-acefof the insertedpicker'stick, and 'means urgingsaid 'wedge into clamping'engagement between-said bracket and the picker stick.

2. A power lug strap retainer for apicker' stick comprising; in combination, a bracketdening a' channelconstructed to envelop a picker stick, means on the outer faces of said brackety for vertically retaining a lug'fstrap in engagement there;- with, said bracket having a.. pair` of adjacent, inwardlyv facing, oppositely inclined surface .portionsspacedffrom one face'of a picker stick posi# tionedtherein, a pair of fwedges, each havingxits anguiarly;disposedz surfaces respectively engageable betweenone of S said inclinedsurface por'- tions and said one face of an inserted picker stick, and-means: urging said vwedges toward `clamping positionl between said bracket and the: picker stick.

3. Thecombinationdenedin.claim 2 wherein said wedges eachrcomprisea solid, wedge-shaped member havingA a; groove on'- its angularsurface for: reception of said angul'arly'disposed: bracket surface.

4. Thev combinationy defined in claim 2 wherein said wedgeseachv comprise a'stamping: having a base portion, opposed side wall portions, and an end wall portion, saidside'wall portions: having their top surfaces arcuately formed in a wedge like configuration to cooperate'with. said anguiarly disposed bracket-surfaces.

5. A-power lug strap Aretainer' ferY a-.picker--stick comprising' a sheet-metal bracketV` of U-'shaped configuration `adaptedr to `straddle`r a, pickerv stick, arm portions on said bracket-'extending laterally beyond the pickerstick to .retain .alugistrap',y the free endsA of `said bracket being inturned: to pro'- vide inclined surfaces spaced: from-and facingv one side of the straddle'd' picker stick, a wedge member disposed between'said linturned free endsand said one side'of the picker stick withfthe inclined faces of said VWedge respectively'engaging said inturned' freeE ends and' said one side of the straddlecl'l pickerstick, and'Y resilient means urgiing said wedge in the directionzto increase its wedgingaction.

6.' The combinationA defined in claimi'wherein said wedge comprisesia solidA wedge-shapediniernber having a pair offparallel grooves on its langular surface, said`inturned` free ends of said .bracket being turned sufficiently.t to assume a reversed configuration and dei-lne tracks:` cooperatingwith said groovesto" guide said Wedge inits movement relative to the bracket.

7; A powering-'strap retainer forv a pickerl stick comprising a. sheet* metal bracket of.'V U-shaped conguration adapted to straddley a picker stick, the arm portions of-"said bracket. extending laterally beyond theV picker stick and` the free ends thereof being inturned, each off said inturned end portions dening oppositely inclined surfaces spaced fromrand, facing4 one side of thezsiraddled pickerk stick,y a pair of; wedges respectively dis; posed4 between said oppositely. inclinedv surfac's and said oneside of the straddled pickerr stick, and a common' springurging'saidv wedgesinto clamping engagement between` said bracketl and said? straddled ypicker stick.

8. The ycombination deiined in. A.ciain'i 'fwherein said wedges` each comprise `aasolid., vwedger-shaped member having a groove in its angular: surf-acc for reception of one-of said oppositely inclined ramp surfa'ces,and" having. a" recess in the large end. face thereof.V to: providelaseat for. ener-end of. saidl: common spring,`

9. The combinationf dened in claim '7 :wherein said wedges each comprise a stamping having a base portion, opposed side wall portions, an end wall portion, said side wall portions having their top surfaces arcuately formed in a wedge-like conguration to cooperate with said oppositely inclined ramp surfaces, and said end wail portion being constructed and arranged to provide a seat for one end oi said common spring.

10. A power lug strap retainer for a picker stick comprising a sheet metal bracket of U-shaped configuration adapted to straddle a picker stick, the arm portions of said bracket extending laterally beyond the straddled picker stick and the free ends thereof being reversely bent to provide guide surfaces spaced from one face of the straddled picker stick and inclined relative thereto, a wedge disposed intermediate said guide surfaces and said one face of the straddled picker stick, means on said wedge cooperating with said guide surfaces to limit lateral movements of said wedge, and means urging said wedge into clamping engagement between said bracket and the straddled picker stick.

11. The combination defined.l in claim 10 wherein said wedge comprises a solid block having parallel grooves in its angular surface respectively receiving said free ends of said bracket.

12. The combination dened in claim 10 wherein said wedge comprises a generally U-shaped stamping having upstanding side wall portions of generally angular configuration and respectively engageable between said free end portions and said arm portions of said bracket.

13. A power lug strap retainer for a picker stick, comprising a sheet metal bracket adapted to straddle a picker stick, integral wing .portions on the exterior of said bracket for vertically retaining a lug strap spring-pressed, and a springpressed wedge disposed between said bracket and the straddled picker stick for clamping said bracket to said straddled picker stick.

14. The combination deiined in claim 13 wherein one of the cooperating surfaces or" said wedge and said bracket is arcuately shaped.

15. A power lug strap retainer for a picker stick comprising a sheet metal bracket adapted to straddle a picker stick, a pair of oppositely acting wedges disposed between said bracket and the straddled picker stick in back-to-back relationship, and means urging said wedges to a clamping position.

16. The combination defined in claim i5 wherein said wedges each comprise a solid, wedgeshaped member having a groove in its angular I surface for reception of said angularly disposed bracket surface.

1'7. A power lug strap retainer for a picker stick comprising, in combination, a bracket dening a channel constructed to envelope a picker stick, means on the outer faces of said bracket for vertically retaining a lug strap in engagement therewith, said bracket having an inclined, inwardly facing surface portion spaced from one face of the picker stick, a wedge having its angularly disposed surfaces respectively engageable with said inclined surface portion of the bracket and said one face of the picker stick, and adjustable means for selectively urging said wedge into clamping engagement between said bracket and the picker stick.

18. A power lug strap retainer for a picker stick comprising, in combination, a bracket dening a channel constructed to envelop a picker stick, means on the outerrace's ofu said bracket for vertically retaining a lug strap in engagement therewith, said bracket having a pair of adjacent, inwardly facing, oppositely inclined surface portions spaced from one face of the picker stick, a pair of wedges, each having its angularly disposed surfaces respectively engageable between ones of said inclined surface p01'- tions and said one face of the picker stick, and an adjusting screw threadedly carried by one of said wedges selectively adjustable to urge said wedges toward clamping position between said bracket and the picker stick.

19. A power lug strap retainer for a picker stick comprising a sheet metal bracket adapted to straddle a picker stick, a pair of oppositely acting wedges disposed between said bracket and the straddled picker stick in back-to-back relationship, and an adjusting screw threadedly carried by one of said wedges for urging said wedges to a clamping position- 20. A power lug strap retainer for a picker stick comprising a sheet metal bracket adapted to straddle a picker stick, a pair or oppositely acting wedges disposed between said bracket and the straddled picker stick in back-to-back relationship, and an adjusting screw threadedly carried by one of said wedges for urging said wedges to a clamping position, the other of said wedges having a recess in the large end face thereof to provide a seat for bearing engagement with said adjusting screw.

2l. A power lug strap retainer for a picker stick comprising a sheet metal bracket of U-shape conguration adapted to straddle a picker stick, the arm portions of said bracket extending laterally beyond the picker stick to retain a lug strap and the free ends thereof being inturned, each of said inturned end portions defining oppositely inclined surfaces spaced from and facing one side of the straddled picker stick, a pair of wedges respectively disposed between said oppositely inclined surfaces and said one side of the straddled picker stick, each of said wedge comprising a stamping having a base portion, opposed side wall portions, and end wall portion, said Side wall portions having their top surfaces curvedly formed in a wedge-like configuration to cooperate with said oppositely inclined surfaces, and adjustable screw means cooperable with said wedges to move same into clamping engagement between said bracket and said straddled picker stick.

22. A power lug strap retainer for assembly on the picker stick of a loom comprising, a generally U-shaped bracket having winged lug strap positioning projections extending laterally therefrom and adapted to envelop a picker stick with the free ends of the arm portions of the bracket extending beyond one face of the picker stick and shaped to position locking elements therebetween, the locking elements including wedge means positioned by the bracket arm portions against the said one face cf the picker stick and means cooperable with the wedge means to urge said wedge means into locking relationship with the bracket and the picker stick, whereby said retainer may be selectively and adjustably positioned vertically on the picker stick.

23. A power lug strap retainer for assembly on the picker stick of a loom comprising, a generally U-shaped bracket having winged lug strap positioning projections extending laterally therefrom and adapted to envelop a picker stick with the free ends of the arm portions of the bracket extending beyond one face of the picker stick and being shaped to position locking elements therebetween, the locking elements including a rst Wedge dening a threaded aperture in the large end face thereof, a screw threadedly carried thereby, a lock Washer carried by said screw and cooperable with said first Wedge to retain said screw in selected adjusted positions and a second Wedge defining a recess in the large end face thereof to provide a seat for the screw, said first and second wedges being positioned against the said one face of the pick-er stick by the bracket arm portions for effecting selective Vertical positioning of the lug strap retainer thereon, said screw operable to urge said wedges into clamping engagement between the bracket and the picker stick.

WILLIAM F. LEINEWEBER, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this :patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

